This was posted earlier, but it didn't make it through.  Very curious.
Appologies in advance if multiple copies make it to the list.
 
I think the most authoritative answer to the "Mite Solution" query would
come from Nick Calderone.  I believe that Nick currently works in
Beltsville, Md.. It was announced at the Empire State Beekeepers'
Association recently that Nick will replace Roger Morse at Cornell
who will retire (or has already(?) soon.  Nick has been investigating
plant extracts and other biological controls for varroa to develop an
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program.
 
I don't know how to contact Nick electronically but perhaps someone on
this list can.  Diana?
 
It would be nice to hear more about "Mite Solution".  Searching the
archives shows that the question has been asked a few times (see
below), but no one seems willing or able to offer testimony.
 
Aaron Morris - Thinking: "Happy Thanksgiving Bee Folk!"
(Appologies to the international folks who don't celebrate.)
 
> =======================   From BEE-L LOG9507   ==========================
>
> ...
> I found an article in the June 28, 1995-p23 issue of Ag Alert.
> USDA tests new way to fight mites.
>
> U.S. Dept of Ag researchers say they are testing a concoction of natural
> plant oils in a new attack on mites-the biggest threat to domestic
> honeybees.
>
> Laboratory and small-scale field tests have shown the blend of plant
> extracts is effective against both tracheal and Varroa mites, which have
> been a growing problem across the country since the mid-1980s.
>
> Now, ARS scientists are conducting larger studies in four states to see
> how well the extracts work in commercial apiaries.
>
> "We still have a long way to go before we have a commercial product,
> but we are encouraged," said Nick Calderone, an ARS entomologist whose
> comments were published in the June issue of the agency's Agricultural
> Research magazine.
>
> "These compounds exhibit a significant potential for controlling
> mites and may be effective against some honeybee diseases," he said.
>
>         SNIP SNIP SNIP cut out some general info
>
> The plant extracts ARS has been using have been shown to be effective
> against both types of mites and don't harm the bees, Calderone said.
>
> Large-scale field tests are being conducted at commercial apiaries in
> Harrisonburg, Va., and Mercersberg, Pa.; in Texas in cooperation with
> the ARS as Weslaco; and at the University of Minnesota.
>
> As they continue to test the extracts, researchers also are trying to
> develop a way to apply the compounds with as little work as possible.
>
> A final step that would be needed is regulatory approval from the EPA.
>
> Calderone said he hopes to find a mixture of extracts that would kill
> both types of mites.
>
> Now, the blend used against Varroa mite is primarily thymol and
> eucalyptus oil.  This mixture killed 98% of Varroa mites and was as
> effective as the fluvalinate strips, researchers said.
>
> For tracheal mites, the oils are from peanuts, sunflowers, rapeseed,
> or soybeans and mixed into sugar patties.  Between 1.5% and 2.5% of the
> bees were found to be infected after their hives were treated with this
> compound, compared with 10% in untreated colonies.
> ....